Power driven meat trimming and cutting knife

ABSTRACT

A power driven knife is provided for trimming and cutting meat, in which a knife blade is employed which oscillates through an arc as the blade is drawn through the meat. The blade is preferably in the form or shape of a section of a cone, the axis of which is the axis about which the blade oscillates.

United States Patent [191 Kliever et al.

[ 1 June 26, 1973 POWER DRIVEN MEAT TRIMMING AND CUTTING KNIFE [75]Inventors: Waldo H. Kliever, Gates Mills; Clyde 211 Appl. No.: 112,609

[52] US. Cl 30/272 A, 30/286, 30/347 [51] Int. Cl B261) 7/00 [581' Fieldof Search 30/272 R, 272 A, 30/133, 276, 347, 286; 146/129, 130

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,337,236 12/1943 Gamble30/272 R 2,958,355 11/1960 Young 30/272 R Gary 30/133 x 3,207,197 9/1965Wilcox 30/272 R 3,555,678 1/1971 Algulnick 301272 A 3,613,662 10/1971Chrysostomides...- 30/272 R 2,556,208 6/1951 Musso 30/347 X 3,346,95610/1967 Wezel 30/347 3,461,557 8/1969 Behring 30/276 PrimaryExaminer-Robert C. Riordon Assistant Examiner.l. C. PetersAttorney-lsler & Omstein 57 7 ABSTRACT A power driven knife is providedfor trimming and cutting meat, in which a knife blade is employed whichoscillates through an are as the blade is drawn through the meat. Theblade is preferably in the form or shape of a section of a cone, theaxis of which is the axis about which the blade oscillates.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAINTEuJml2s ma 3.740.847

sum 1 or a INVENTORS WALDO H. KLIEVER BY. CLYDE MART ATTORNEYS mimmaunzsms 3. 740.847

INVENTORS Fly. 5 WALDO H. KLIEVER BY CLYDE MART ATTORNEYS PAINInJuu2s ma3.740.847

' sum 3 or 3 INVENTORS WALDO H. KLIEVER Fly. 8 BY CLYDE MART ATTDRN EYSPOWER DRIVEN MEAT TRIMMING AND CUTTING KNIFE Electric carving knifeshave heretofore been employed for cutting or slicing meat, but suchknives, since they operate with a straight linear motion, are notsatisfactory for use in meat trimming operations, such as removal offat, where it is required that the blade of the knife enters hollow ordepressed areas in the meat.

The present invention has, as its primary object, the provision of apower-driven knife for trimming and cutting meat, which is designed toenter such hollow or depressed areas of the meat, and thereby greatlyfacilitate such trimming and cutting operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a knife of the characterdescribed, in which a knife blade of conical conformation is used, whichis oscillated through a predetermined arc in a substantially horizontalplane, as the blade is drawn in a substantially linear direction throughthe meat by the meat cutter or operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knife of the characterdescribed, which is extremely compact in nature, consisting of a minimumnumber of parts which can be manufactured and assembled at relativelylow cost.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a knife of thecharacter described, having an easily accessible manually adjustablegauge for controlling the depth of cut made by the knife blade.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during thecourse of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a knife embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, partly'in elevation, and partly in cross-section,taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 ofFIG. 2; I

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 7--7 ofFIG. 2, and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the blank from which the knife blade is formedor shaped.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 1designates the housing of an electric motor 2, the housing, in thisinstance, having a conformation such that it can be used as a handle forthe knife. The motor 2 is preferably a series-wound universal motor ofmore than one-eighth horse-power and a speed of about 6000 r.p.m. Themotor control switch is indicated by reference numeral 3, and the motorshaft by reference numeral 4.

Secured to the forward end of the motor housing, as by tie rods 5, is aspacer plate 6 having a circular opening 7, in which a gear 8 is mountedfor rotation on a shaft 9. The gear 8 is driven by a pinion 10, which ismounted on the forward end of the motor shaft 4. The speed of the gear 8is reduced by the pinion 10 in a ratio of 6:46.

The gear 8 has mounted on its forward face, in eccentric relation to theshaft 9, a pin 11, to which is pivotally secured a slide 12. This slideis of generally rectangular shape, but has side edges 13 and 14 (seeFIG. 5) of arcuate cross-section.

Secured to the plate 6, as by means of the tie rods 5, is a housing orcasing 15, in which is mounted the transmission to the knife to bepresently described.

The casing 15 has an upper bore 16, which is counterbored, as at 17, andhas a lower bore 18, in axial alignment with the bore 16, and which iscounterbored, as at 19. The counterbore 17 has mounted therein a ballbearing 20, and the counterbore 19 has mounted therein a ball bearing21.

Mounted for rotation in the bearings 20 and 21 is a shaft 23, theexterior of which is provided with splines 24 (see FIG. 6), the shafthaving a reduced upper portion 23a, which extends through the bearing20. The shaft 23 has firmly secured thereto a flanged bushing 22, whichextends through the bearing 21, and the flange of which supports thebearing.

Secured to the lower portion of the shaft 23 is a knife-supportingframe, consisting of a circular central portion 25, which is splined tothe shaft 23, and a pair of forwardly and downwardly extending arms 26and 27.

The shaft 23 is provided adjacent its lower end with an annular groove28, in which is mounted a washer 29 of the Tru-arc type, which serves tosupport the portion 25 of the knife-supporting frame againstdisplacement from the shaft. A knob or cover 30 of plastic or likematerial is press-fitted on the lower end of the shaft, concealing thewasher 29 and lower end of the shaft.

Mounted within the counterbore 17, about the portion 23a of the shaft23, is a shaft-centering washer 31 which rests on the bearing 20. Thewasher 31 has an axial flange 31a. a lock washer 32 is mounted on thewasher 31, about the flange 31a. A nut 33 secures the washer 32 tothewasher 31, and after the nut has been turned down to securingposition, tongue 32a of the washer 32 is turned up to engage one of theflat sides of the nut, to thereby lock the nut in such position. Theshaft 23 is thus secured against axial displacement by the conjointaction of the washer 29 and nut 33.

Splined to the shaft 23, adjacent the upper end of the spline portion ofthe shaft, is a lever arm, consisting of a circular portion 34 which issplined to the shaft, as best seen in FIG. 5, a horizontally-extendingmember 35, and a channel member 36. The channel member 36 has avertical-recess 37 in its rear portion, in which the slide 12 isdisposed for reciprocal sliding movement,

thev sides 13 and 14 of the slide being in engagement with the sidewalls of the recess 37, and facilitating the sliding action between theslide and member 36.

Spacer discs 38 and 39 are splined to the shaft 23, be tween the bushing22 and portion 25 of the knifesupporting frame.

An important feature of the invention is the knife blade. This knifeblade, which is identified generally by reference numeral 40, is madefrom a flat steel blank, of arcuate form, which, as shown in FIG. 8, isabout 15 inch wide, and is provided adjacent its ends with holes 41 and42, the center of this are being indicated at 43.

This blank is bent or formed into the conical shape shown in FIGS. 1, 2,5, 6 and 7, and is connected to the ends of the arms 26 and 27 by meansof screws 43' (see FIG. 7), which pass through the holes 41 and 42 ofthe knife. The span of the knife, in its conical shape or form, isapproximately 135, between the centers of the holes 41 and 42. The arms26 and 27 terminate in machined faces, which have the conical shape ofthe knife 40. The lower or cutting edge of the knife 40 is designated inFIG. 2 by reference numeral 44.

The plane of the knife 40 lies in or coincides with an inverted cone,the axis of which is the axis of the shaft 23, and the angle of thesurface of this cone to such axis is 45.

The knife further includes an adjustable gauge, which limits ordetermines the maximum depth to which the cut is made in the meat whichis being cut. This gauge comprises an upright stem 45, which is slidablymounted in the forward portion of the housing 15, and is retained inadjusted position by means of a set screw 46. The stem 45 is provided atits lower end with a gauge stop 47, of arcuate shape, with the ends ofthe are extending forwardly, so as not to dig into the meat, during useof the knife, which will now be described.

The knife, as previously stated, is designed primarily for trimming fatfrom large pieces of meat, but may be used for other meat trimmingoperations.

In the use of the knife, the motor is energized, and the knife is drawnor pulled by the meat cutter in a direction towards himself.

The mechanism which has been described causes the shaft 23, andaccordingly the knife 40, to be oscillated about the axis of the shaftin a horizontal plane through an arc of about 16, and at a frequency ofabout 12 cycles or complete oscillations per second.

The blade of the knife is thus oscillated in a circular arc in a planewhich is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 23, this oscillatingaction or rotation being about the true axis of the cone, of which theblade is a part.

The conical conformation of the knife blade, combined with theoscillatory action thereof, enables the blade to enter hollow ordepressed areas, effectively trimming or cutting such areas, as theblade is drawn or pulled by the meat cutter or operator in a lineardirection.

The knife is controlled by the operator who holds the knife in his hand,or with both hands, and the adjustable depth gauge or stop is used tocontrol the depth of cut, and provide uniform thickness of cut strips.

For some purpose, the blade of the knife may be cylindrical in shape,instead of conical.

Although the knife has been described with reference to its operation byan electrically-driven motor, it is to be understood that other powermeans may be used to drive the knife, as, for example, pneumatic orhydraulic power driven means.

It is thus seen that we have provided a power driven knife for trimmingand cutting meat, which is designed to enter hollow or depressed areasof the meat and thereby greatly facilitate such trimming and cuttingoperations.

It is also seen that we have provided a knife blade of conicalconformation, which is oscillated through a predetermined arc in asubstantially horizontal plane, as the blade is drawn in a substantiallylinear direction through the meat 'by the meat cutter or operator.

It is further seen that we have provided a knife which is extremelycompact in nature, and which consists of a minimum number of parts whichcan be manufactured and assembled at low cost.

It is still further seen that we have provided a knife which has aneasily accessible manually adjustable gauge for controlling the depth ofcut made by the knife blade.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention, herewith shownand described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, andthat various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement ofparts thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

We claim;

1. In a knife of the character described, a knife blade having anarcuate cutting edge, power-actuated means for oscillating said bladethrough a predetermined arc about the axis of said cutting edge, saidpower-actuated means including a splined shaft, said blade conforming tothe shape of an inverted cone, whose axis is the axis of said shaft, alever arm for oscillating said shaft, means for causing oscillatorymovement of said lever arm, a knife-blade supporting frame comprising acentral portion splined to said shaft, and downwardly and forwardlyextending arms to which the ends of said blade are secured, and handlemeans for drawing said knife in a substantially linear direction, assaid blade is oscillated.

2. In a knife of the character described, an elongated housing having ahandle portion and a forward portion, a vertical shaft journalled forrotation in said forward portion and having its axis substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of elongation of said housing, a knifeblade of curved conformation disposed substantially below said housingand having a cutting edge at its lower end which cutting edge lies in aplane angularly disposed toward the axis of said shaft and saiddirection of elongation of said housing, said blade having as its axisof curvature the axis of said shaft, means for supporting said blade,said means comprising at least two arms secured to said shaft spacedcircumferentially thereof and extending radially therefrom to saidblade, and means disposed within said housing for oscillating said shaftabout its axis and said blade through a predetermined arc.

3. A knife, as defined in claim 2, wherein said blade conforms to theshape of an inverted cone, whose axis is the axis of said shaft.

4. A knife, as defined in claim 3, wherein said bladesupporting armsextend downwardly from said shaft to said blade.

5. A knife, as defined in claim 4, wherein the longitudinal center lineof said housing and the axis of said shaft lie in a common verticalplane which bisects said knife blade.

6. In a knife of the character described, an elongated housing having ahandle or manual gripping portion, a shaft carried by said housing andjournalled thereto about an axis substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of said housing for rotation therein, powerdrivenmeans mounted in said housing and connected to said shaft for impartingoscillating movement thereto, a knife blade having the conformation of asegment of an inverted cone whose axis is the axis of said shaft, saidknife blade being mounted in fully exposed position below said housingand connected adjacent its ends to said shaft for oscillatory movementtherewith,

said knife blade having a cutting edge lying in a plane below saidhousing and normal to said axis of rotation, the radius of said cuttingedge intersecting the axis of said shaft, and having a trailing edge ina plane above and parallel to said last-named plane and uniformlydisplaced from said cutting edge, whereby to provide between the cuttingedge and trailing edge a glide surface inclined to the direction of thelinear cutting movement of said knife to displace the cuttings made bysaid knife. =3 l I! 4*

1. In a knife of the character described, a knife blade having anarcuate cutting edge, power-actuated means for oscillating said bladethrough a predetermined arc about the axis of said cutting edge, saidpower-actuated means including a splined shaft, said blade conforming tothe shape of an inverted cone, whose axis is the axis of said shaft, alever arm for oscillating said shaft, means for causing oscillatorymovement of said lever arm, a knife-blade supporting frame comprising acentral portion splined to said shaft, and downwardly and forwardlyextending arms to which the ends of said blade are secured, and handlemeans for drawing said knife in a substantially linear direction, assaid blade is oscillated.
 2. In a knife of the character described, anelongated housing having a handle portion and a forward portion, avertical shaft journalled for rotation in said forward portion andhaving its axis substantially perpendicular to the direction ofelongation of said housing, a knife blade of curved conformationdisposed substantially below said housing and having a cutting edge atits lower end which cutting edge lies in a plane angularly disposedtoward the axis of said shaft and said direction of elongation of saidhousing, said blade having as its axis of curvature the axis of saidshaft, means for supporting said blade, said means comprising at leasttwo arms secured to said shaft spaced circumferentially thereof andextending radially therefrom to said blade, and means disposed withinsaid housing for oscillating said shaft about its axis and said bladethrough a predetermined arc.
 3. A knife, as defined in claim 2, whereinsaid blade conforms to the shape of an inverted cone, whose axis is theaxis of said shaft.
 4. A knife, as defined in claim 3, wherein saidblade-supporting arms extend downwardly from said shaft to said blade.5. A knife, as defined in claim 4, wherein the longitudinal center lineof said housing and the axis of said shaft lie in a common verticalplane which bisects said knife blade.
 6. In a knife of the characterdescribed, an elongated housing having a handle or manual grippingportion, a shaft carried by said housing and journalled thereto about anaxis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of saidhousing for rotation therein, power-driven means mounted in said housingand connected to said shaft for imparting oscillating movement thereto,a knife blade having the conformation of a segment of an inverted conewhose axis is the axis of said shaft, said knife blade being mounted infully exposed position below said housing and connected adjacent itsends to said shaft for oscillatory movement therewith, said knife bladehaving a cutting edge lying in a plane below said housing and normal tosaid axis of rotation, the radius of said cutting edge intersecting theaxis of said shaft, and having a trailing edge in a plane above andparallel to said last-named plane and uniformly displaced from saidcutting edge, whereby to provide between the cutting edge and trailingedge a glide surface inclined to the direction of the linear cuttingmovement of said knife to displace the cuttings made by said knife.